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London bus strike: Staff walk out over pay differences London bus strike: Staff walk out over pay differences
(about 7 hours later)
Bus drivers in London are taking part in a 24-hour strike.Bus drivers in London are taking part in a 24-hour strike.
Members of the Unite union walked out at 00:00 GMT over pay differences between the capital's 18 bus companies.Members of the Unite union walked out at 00:00 GMT over pay differences between the capital's 18 bus companies.
Transport for London (TfL), which said about 47% of routes were running, called it "totally unnecessary".Transport for London (TfL), which said about 47% of routes were running, called it "totally unnecessary".
The Unite union said the pay system was in "chaos" and had to be changed. Bus company Tower Transit said the union wanted them to "act as a cartel", which they legally could not.The Unite union said the pay system was in "chaos" and had to be changed. Bus company Tower Transit said the union wanted them to "act as a cartel", which they legally could not.
TfL warned there would be disruption to bus services across London and to night bus services operating into Friday morning.TfL warned there would be disruption to bus services across London and to night bus services operating into Friday morning.
But it said 49% of the normal number of buses were in service on Thursday morning.
'Totally unnecessary''Totally unnecessary'
Forty-four bus routes were not due to be affected by the strike, said TfL. Tfl said 51% of buses were in service. About 390 bus routes are running a service, with 2,650 buses.
Bus services during the day on Friday should operate as normal.Bus services during the day on Friday should operate as normal.
It is the first of three 24-hour bus strikes planned this month. The next are scheduled for 13 and 16 February.It is the first of three 24-hour bus strikes planned this month. The next are scheduled for 13 and 16 February.
Members of Unite want an end to salary differences between firms that can see staff salaries differ from £17,000 to £25,000.Members of Unite want an end to salary differences between firms that can see staff salaries differ from £17,000 to £25,000.
TfL has said that changing this could cost up to £100m a year. In an open letter in the Evening Standard, it called the strike "totally unnecessary".TfL has said that changing this could cost up to £100m a year. In an open letter in the Evening Standard, it called the strike "totally unnecessary".
However Metroline bus driver Steve O'Rourke, who was on the picket line in Archway, called for the bus companies to take action.However Metroline bus driver Steve O'Rourke, who was on the picket line in Archway, called for the bus companies to take action.
He said: "It is very simple really, we are doing exactly the same job.He said: "It is very simple really, we are doing exactly the same job.
"We drive up and down the roads with places that other companies are running as well and yet we are on different rates of pay.""We drive up and down the roads with places that other companies are running as well and yet we are on different rates of pay."
'Act as a cartel''Act as a cartel'
Pete Kavanagh, London regional secretary of Unite, said: "We've got a two-tier workforce in which people coming into the industry in recent years never get to the top rate of pay.Pete Kavanagh, London regional secretary of Unite, said: "We've got a two-tier workforce in which people coming into the industry in recent years never get to the top rate of pay.
"We've literally got hundreds of rates of pay and this has got to stop.""We've literally got hundreds of rates of pay and this has got to stop."
There has been some disruption as a result of the bus strike, but definitely not as much as the previous strike in early January.
TfL has said that 49% of buses are in service, but despite that there's still a noticeable reduction in service on some of London's busiest bus routes. Route 25 which runs from Ilford to Oxford Circus is running around 25 buses where it would usually run up to 60.
The effect on National Rail and Tube services has also been minimal with many commuters reporting that they are no busier than normal, possibly helped by additional Thames Clipper services, taxi marshals at the major national rail terminals and the acceptance of some bus tickets on the tube.
Paul Murphy-Kasp, BBC London 94.9 travel journalist
The bus companies affected are Abellio, Arriva, CT Plus, Go Ahead, London Sovereign, London United, Metroline, Stagecoach and Tower Transit.The bus companies affected are Abellio, Arriva, CT Plus, Go Ahead, London Sovereign, London United, Metroline, Stagecoach and Tower Transit.
John Traynor, from Go Ahead London, which runs a quarter of the capital's bus network, told BBC London 94.9 about 75% of its routes were running.John Traynor, from Go Ahead London, which runs a quarter of the capital's bus network, told BBC London 94.9 about 75% of its routes were running.
"I've said to the unions in by all if you want me to address pay disparity about minimum rates and to close the gap I can do that but they are unwilling to meet us locally," he said."I've said to the unions in by all if you want me to address pay disparity about minimum rates and to close the gap I can do that but they are unwilling to meet us locally," he said.
Tower Transit Chairman Neil Smith said the company was running double the services it had run in the previous strike on 13 January.Tower Transit Chairman Neil Smith said the company was running double the services it had run in the previous strike on 13 January.
"There are disparities due to length of service and there are disparities due to geography," said Mr Smith."There are disparities due to length of service and there are disparities due to geography," said Mr Smith.
"This is an attempt to force a group of competing operators who are delivering a very cost effective bus service for London to act as a cartel and our legal advice is we cannot do that.""This is an attempt to force a group of competing operators who are delivering a very cost effective bus service for London to act as a cartel and our legal advice is we cannot do that."
Leon Daniels from TfL said: "It's not a matter for TfL to step in on.Leon Daniels from TfL said: "It's not a matter for TfL to step in on.
"For the last 20 years, we've run a brilliant bus service as a result of local pay negotiation between the local drivers and their employers.""For the last 20 years, we've run a brilliant bus service as a result of local pay negotiation between the local drivers and their employers."